Standard Chartered Enters UAE Spot Crypto Market with BTC and ETH Trading
Standard Chartered has launched spot trading for Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH) in the UAE, marking a significant milestone for the global bank. The service is available to institutional clients through the bank's DIFC entity, which is regulated by the Dubai Financial Services Authority (DFSA). This move makes Standard Chartered the first Global Systemically Important Bank (G-SIB) to offer spot digital asset trading in the UAE.
The launch builds on the bank's existing digital asset presence in the UAE, which began in September 2024 with the introduction of digital asset custody services. In June 2026, Standard Chartered signed a banking agreement with crypto exchange CoinMENA, providing it with access to fiat on- and off-ramp infrastructure.
The addition of execution capabilities to the bank's existing digital asset custody offering in the UAE gives eligible clients a regulated way to trade spot BTC and ETH through familiar foreign-exchange interfaces. This move is part of a growing trend in the UAE, where digital asset licensing activity has accelerated in recent months.